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Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This shrubland association typically occurs at elevations between 1800 and 2195 m (5900-7200 feet) on nearly level to gently sloping low terraces, narrow valley floodplains, mesatops, flat ridgetops and plateaus. It is documented from northwestern Colorado, but it is predicted that this community also occurs in adjacent southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah. One site is on a sheltered badland slope of Mancos shale. It can occur on steeper surfaces, but slopes generally do not exceed 10%. Precipitation is usually less than 25.4 cm (10 inches) per year. <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> is a xeric shrub associated with subdesert ecosystems. The soils that are commonly associated with this community are moderately coarse to fine, calcareous, and saline-alkaline with an average pH of 7.9. Bare soil covers much of the ground surface. The vegetation cover in this community is sparse, and the surface of the soil is often described as a gravel pavement due to the scouring action of the wind. This association has relatively low species diversity, with <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> dominating the shrub layer with 4-20% cover. Other desert shrubs are usually present in low percentages. <i>Hesperostipa comata</i> dominates the herbaceous layer with 10-30% cover. <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa fendleriana</i>, and <i>Poa secunda</i> are generally present with much lower cover. At lower elevations or warmer sites where <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> is more abundant, there is more <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i>, and <i>Hesperostipa comata</i> does not become abundant until further uphill where the <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> decreases in cover. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30223-{8B07C634-0459-45F7-A014-38F2C7511411}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 12-Oct-2005 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686118 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001314
  Translated: Shadscale Saltbush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland
  Scientific: Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland
(similar) CEGL001314
(similar) Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland